Adjustable guided rake apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An adjustable guided rake apparatus and method, which enable an adjustable guided rake user to configure an adjustable rake guide to a specified height in relation to a secondary surface, which will then define the height of the grading edge of the grading rake head in relation to a primary surface. The adjustable guided rake user is able to move the grading rake head along a primary surface, in order to shift material along the surface, while the adjustable rake guide runs along the secondary surface, guiding the grading rake head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/240,467, filed Aug. 18, 2016, whichclaims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,902,077, filed Aug.31, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties, including any figures, tables, and drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of rakes and in particularto grading rakes.

BACKGROUND

The use of a rake to grade a surface is well known within theconstruction and other labor industries and has been practiced for manyyears. Laborers of all description employ a grading rake to spread somekind of material evenly over a surface. Grading rakes provide an easyand quick means of spreading material, such as a substrate.

Typically, a grading rake user pushes and pulls the rake head over asubstrate, using a handle that is attached to the rake, to manipulatethe substrate. There are many reasons to manipulate the substrate, forexample a user may wish to level the substrate to a desired level. Theleveling of a substrate can be important for structural and aestheticreasons.

Although grading rakes allow a user to manipulate substrate, thereremain issues. Presently, a grading rake user hoping to level asubstrate must rely on their judgment to ensure the accuracy of thelevel. There are other means of checking substrate level, but thesemeans are often complex and costly, and can take a lot of time toimplement.

A grading rake user can manipulate substrate on a primary surface;however this manipulation is without reference to a secondary surface.This prevents a grading rake user from manipulating substrate as may berequired along secondary surfaces of different material, height andother characteristics.

Grading rakes are fixed tools incapable of user manipulation. Oftenseveral different rakes may be required for different gradingsituations, or substrate manipulation. It is expensive and cumbersome topurchase and transport multiple grading rakes to job sites.

There have been grading rakes disclosed in the past as described in theUS patents with publication numbers U.S. Pat. No. 2,152,377-A, U.S. Pat.No. 3,678,670-A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,994-A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,553.Although these grading rakes provide some type a guiding feature toaffect substrate raking, the guiding capabilities are limited.

Therefore there is a need for an adjustable guided rake apparatus thatis not subject to one or more limitations of the prior art.

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that anyof the preceding information constitutes prior art against the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable guidedrake apparatus and method. In accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an adjustable guided rake apparatus forgrading a material on a primary surface to a user specified standardrelative to a secondary surface, the apparatus comprising a grading rakehead comprising an elongate blade having a top edge and a bottom gradingedge; a guide track mounted on the top edge of the elongate blade; atleast one adjustable rake guide slidably mounted within the guide track;and wherein each adjustable rake guide comprises a guide arm in slidingcommunication with the guide track, at least one fastener for securingthe guide arm within the guide track, and at least one height adjusterfor adjusting the height of the bottom grading edge relative to thesecondary surface attached to the guide arm.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of grading material of a primary surface to a userspecified standard using an adjustable guided rake, the methodcomprising the steps of adjusting the at least one adjustable rake guideto a specified height in relation to the secondary surface; adjustingthe at least one adjustable rake guide to a specified standard withinthe guide track; and passing the grading edge of the rake head of theadjustable guided rake apparatus over the primary surface until thespecified standard is achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood inconnection with the following Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable guided rakehead.

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the grading rake head and adjustablerake guides.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a portion of the adjustable guidedrake.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a portion of the adjustable guidedrake.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate multiple views of components of the adjustablerake guide.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the grading rake head and adjustablerake guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

The term “adjustable guided rake”, hereinafter also referred to as the“AGR” is used to define the adjustable guided rake apparatus.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs.

Apparatus and Method Overview

The present invention provides an apparatus which enables a user toadjust a rake guide to a specified standard of their choice. It furtherprovides an adjustable guided rake which can level material on a primarysurface next to a secondary surface without requiring user judgment. Therake allows for manipulation of material upon a primary surface inreference to a secondary surface. The adjustable grading rake isinexpensive, versatile, simple to use and saves time and effort that isrequired during the use of a traditional grading rake.

The present invention also provides a method of using the adjustableguided rake apparatus.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the AGR and method may beused on many surfaces, including but not limited to substrate, soil,grass, concrete, cement, sand, gravel, dirt, tiles, stone, ceramic,glass, metal, wood, composite materials, marble, granite, slate,acrylic, and any other surface as would be appreciated by the skilledperson. In another embodiment, it is further contemplated that the AGRand method may manipulate many materials, including but not limited tosoil, stone, gravel, sand, cement, concrete, substrate, dirt, wood,filler, and any other material as would be appreciated by the skilledperson.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a primary surface may bemade up of any of the surfaces, or a combination of surfaces asdescribed herein. In another embodiment, it is contemplated that asecondary surface may be made up of any of the surfaces, or acombination of surfaces as described herein.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the material manipulatedby the AGR and method may be made up of any of the material, or acombination of material as described herein.

As will be readily appreciated by the skilled person, all components ofthe AGR discussed herein can be formed of any suitable material and byany suitable manufacturing process.

In one embodiment, the AGR is comprised of an adjustable rake guide, anda grading rake head.

In one embodiment, the grading rake head is comprised of an elongateblade having a top edge and a bottom grading edge, and a guide track.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the elongate blade may beof any length, shape, width and thicknesses to accommodate the needs ofthe AGR user. Said elongate blade may be, but is not limited to,rectangular, half-circle, elliptical, quadrilateral, triangular, ordiamond in shape.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the elongate blade may becurved along the blade. The curve will run the entire length of theelongate blade and will bend away from the elongate blade spine thatruns lengthwise along the middle of the grading rake head. The curvewill be rounded and will begin at the point of the elongate blade spine.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that there may be single ormultiple elongate blade curves. The elongate blade curve may run partiallengths along the elongate blade, and may bend at any angle or directionas would be understood by someone skilled in the art. The elongate bladecurve may be sharp, gradual, or otherwise as would be understood bysomeone skilled in the art, and may run lengthwise or horizontally alongthe elongate blade. The elongate blade curve may start in the middle,top, or bottom portion of the grading rake head as would be understoodby someone skilled in the art. It may start at the same point or adifferent point to that of the elongate blade spine.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may run inmultiple sections and not in a single piece; it may also run less thanthe entirety of the length of the grading rake head.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide trackaccommodates an adjustable rake guide. Said accommodation may includethe ability to manipulate the adjustable rake guide within the guidetrack; in this way the AGR provides at least two forms of rakeadjustment. Said manipulation of the adjustment rake guide may include,but is not limited to adjustment means such as sliding, clipping,fastening, ratcheting or another adjustment means as would beappreciated by the skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may bemounted on the top edge of the grading rake head. The guide track may bemounted to the top edge of the grading rake head using an attachmentmeans such as but not limited to extrusion, fastening, welding, gluing,screwing, nailing, or other attachment means as would be appreciated bya skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may bemounted on the grading rake head. The guide track may be mounted to thegrading rake head using an attachment means such as but not limited toextrusion, fastening, welding, gluing, screwing, nailing, or otherattachment means as would be appreciated by a skilled person.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track is a roughlyrectangular component, which accommodates a sectional cut-out on one ofthe length sides of the rectangle, to form a cross section thatresembles a “c” of five sides, each “c” side at 90 degree angles to eachconnected side, with thickness suited to accommodate an adjustable rakeguide, which may extend along and run in parallel to the grading rakehead, and may span the same length of the entirety of the grading rakehead.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may bemounted to the top edge of the grading rake head, wherein the non-cutoutlength of the rectangle portion of the guide track is mounted to the topedge of the grading rake head perpendicular to the grading rake head.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may bemounted to the top edge of the grading rake head, wherein the non-cutoutlength of the rectangle portion of the guide track is mounted to the topedge of the grading rake head at an acute angle in relation to the sideof the grading rake head that the AGR user is situated.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide track may bemounted to the top edge of the grading rake head, wherein the non-cutoutlength of the rectangle portion of the guide track is mounted to the topedge of the grading rake head at an acute angle in relation to the sideof the grading rake head that the AGR user is situated.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the bottom grading edge ofthe elongate blade will be a straight edge.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the bottom grading edge ofthe elongate blade may accommodate a plurality of blade teeth. Saidblade teeth may be, but are not limited to rectangular, square,quadrilateral, triangular, circular, or another shape as would beappreciated by the skilled person. Said blade teeth may run in paralleland along the entirety of the bottom grading edge of the elongate blade.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the blade teeth may runin multiple sections along the bottom edge of the elongate blade, andare attached using an attachment means such as but not limited toextrusion, fastener, welding, glue, screw, nail, or other attachmentmeans as would be appreciated by a skilled person. Said blade teeth maybe adjustable or removable by the AGR user to accommodate the user'sspecific needs.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that that the ability toremove and exchange blade teeth will provide the AGR user with a morecost efficient and more time efficient means of using a grading rake.The AGR user will be able to adjust one rake for many differentpurposes, instead of having to purchase and transport several differentrakes.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the bottom edge of theelongate blade will interact with material on a primary surface.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a single or multipleadjustable rake guides may be mounted on the grading rake head. It isfurther contemplated that one or multiple adjustable rake guides mayinteract with a secondary surface.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that an adjustable rake guide maybe mounted in a fixed position, or the AGR user may manually change theposition of the adjustable rake guide. The AGR user is provided withmultiple ways to adjust the rake, by using both the adjustable rakeguide and/or moving the adjustable rake guide within the guide track. Inanother embodiment, it is contemplated that adjustable rake guide willbe completely removable by the AGR user.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the ability for an AGRuser to manually change the position of the adjustable rake guide willprovide the AGR user with a more cost efficient and more time efficientmeans of using a grading rake.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that an AGR user may adjustthe rake guide to a position suitable to grade material on a primarysurface to a specified standard (said specified standard may bedetermined relative to the height of a secondary surface).

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that an adjustable rake guidemay be automatically adjusted. For example, the adjustable rake guidemay be digitally set and will automatically adjust to adhere to thedigital setting. The adjustable rake guide may be automaticallymanipulated in some other way as would be appreciated by a skilledperson.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that once an AGR user hasadjusted the rake guide to a specified position, the user will not berequired to make an assessment of the surrounding environment in orderto meet that specified standard, their judgment is not required to gradethe material on a primary surface to the specified standard as they mayrely on the adjustable rake guide to direct said grading.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that an AGR user specifiedstandard for an adjustable rake guide may be, but is not limited tosurface relative height, surface relative width, surface relativelength, surface material characteristics, or another specified standardas would be appreciated by the skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the adjustable rake guideis comprised of a guide arm, a fastener, and a height adjuster.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide arm may be insliding communication with the guide track. Said guide arm may berectangular in shape, which may have width, length, and thicknessdimensions suited to fit within the confines of a guide track.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a guide arm may be, butis not limited to interactive means with the guide track such asratchet, notch, clip-in, or another form of interactive means as wouldbe appreciated by the skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the guide arm is adaptedto fit within the guide track, and may be, but is not limited to square,triangular, round, quadrilateral, cube, rod, prism, or another shape aswould be appreciated by the skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a guide arm may beassisted by an aid that is affixed to the guide arm such as, but notlimited to bearings, lubricant, coating, or another aid as would beappreciated by a skilled person, for the purposes of assisting themovement of the guide arm within the guide track.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a fastener may be used by anAGR user to secure a guide arm within a guide track. Said fastener maybe used once the adjustable rake guide has been adjusted to an AGR userspecified standard. The AGR user may unsecure and re-secure the guidearm within the guide track using the fastener as many times as the userwishes to readjust the adjustable rake guide to a specified standard.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that an AGR user will secure aguide arm within a guide track using a wing screw fastener.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that an AGR user will secure aguide arm within a guide track using a fastener that may be, but is notlimited to screw, twist, nail, clip-in, ratchet, plug, tooth, lock,spring, or another fastening means as would be appreciated by theskilled person.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a height adjuster may adjustthe height of the bottom grading edge relative to a secondary surface.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the height adjuster mayadjust another characteristic of the AGR such as, but not limited to theheight of a secondary surface relative to the bottom grading edge, theadjustable rake guide relative to a primary surface and vice versa, theadjustable rake guide relative to a secondary surface and vice versa,the adjustable rake guide relative to the bottom grading edge, theadjustable rake guide relative to the grading rake head and vice versa,the adjustable rake guide relative to the handle and vice versa, oranother characteristic of the AGR as would be appreciated by a skilledperson.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the height adjuster comprisesa height adjuster control and a disk.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the height adjuster maycomprise additional components to a height adjuster and a disk for thepurposes of permitting the height adjuster to perform additionalfunctions. For example, the height adjuster may also comprise a stopperin order to limit the variance available to the height adjuster, or someother additional component as would be appreciated by the skilledperson.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a height adjuster controlwill raise and lower the height adjuster. Said height adjuster controlmay be manipulated by an AGR user. Said height adjuster control may be awing nut acting as a locking nut on a screw.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a height adjuster controlmay be another control means such, as but not limited to screw, twist,nail, clip-in, ratchet, plug, tooth, lock, spring, or another controlmeans as would be appreciated by the skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the height adjustercontrol may be automatically manipulated. For example, the heightadjuster control may be digitally set and will automatically adjust toadhere to the digital setting. The height adjuster control may beautomatically manipulated in some other way as would be appreciated by askilled person.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a disk is configured to guidea height adjuster along a secondary surface.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a disk may be removableand replaceable. Said disk may be replaced by another disk suitable tothe specific needs of an AGR user.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the ability to remove andexchange a disk will provide the AGR user with a more cost efficient andmore time efficient means of using a grading rake.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a disk may be of numeroussizes and various shapes, suitable to the specific needs of an AGR user.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a disk may be assisted byan aid that is affixed to the disk such as, but not limited to bearings,lubricant, coating, wheels, or another aid as would be appreciated by askilled person, for the purposes of assisting the disk to guide a heightadjuster along a secondary surface.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the AGR will accommodatea single or multiple handles. Said handle or handles may be used by asingle AGR user, or by multiple AGR users to manipulate the AGR. Saidhandle or handles may be manipulated manually by an AGR user, orautomatically by some other automatic means as would be readilyappreciated by the skilled person. Said handle or handles may have meansof removal for the purposes of altering the number or type of handle orhandles used for the AGR. The means of removal may be, but is notlimited to screw, clip-in, twist, slide, and other mechanisms as wouldbe appreciated by a skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the ability to removeand/or exchange a handle for another type of handle will provide the AGRuser with a more cost efficient and more time efficient means of using agrading rake. The AGR user will be able to adjust one rake for manydifferent purposes, instead of having to purchase and transport severaldifferent rakes. They may use the AGR with or without a handle.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that an elongate blade spine mayrun in parallel and along the middle of the grading rake head, and willprotrude slightly from the grading rake head at a 90 degree angle, tospan the same length of the entirety of the grading rake head.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the elongate blade spinemay run along the grading rake head in sections and not as a singlepiece; it may also run less than the entirety of the length of thegrading rake head; it may also be fixed in place with a single ormultiple assembly fasteners, or it may be incorporated into the gradingrake head by some other attachment means such as but not limited toextrusion, fastener, welding, glue, screw, nail, or other attachmentmeans as would be appreciated by a skilled person.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the elongate blade spinewill act as gripping portion for an AGR user. The AGR user will graspthe grading rake head directly with their hand, and use the elongateblade spine as a point whereby they are able to further secure the ARG.The AGR user may then manipulate the AGR as desired while directlygrasping the grading rake head.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that material may be graded on aprimary surface to an AGR user specified standard, by adjusting anadjustable rake guide to a specified height in relation to a secondarysurface, and then passing the grading edge of the rake head over aprimary surface until a specified standard is achieved.

Example

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6, an example of the AGR and all ofits components as shown, the AGR is comprised of a grading rake head 001and an elongate blade spine 006 attached to the grading rake head. TheAGR user is able to grasp the grading rake head and move it in adirection specified by the AGR user. The grading rake head is comprisedof an elongate blade 004 having an elongate blade top edge 020 andelongate blade bottom grading edge 023, which may accommodate bladeteeth 030, and a guide track 005 mounted on the elongate blade top edge.The grading rake head may communicate with a primary surface in relationto a secondary surface, the secondary surface determined by anadjustable rake guide 002 as set by the adjustable guided rake user. Anadjustable rake guide may be comprised of a guide arm 007 in slidingcommunication with a guide track, a fastener 008 for securing a guidearm within a guide track, and a height adjuster 009 for adjusting theheight of the bottom grading edge relative to a secondary surface. Theheight adjuster comprises a height adjuster control 012 for raising andlowering the height adjuster, and a disk 013 configured to guide theheight adjuster along a secondary surface. An adjustable rake guide maybe secured to a grading rake head and adjustable to meet a differentsecondary surface height, and capable of communicating with a secondarysurface of the same or different properties.

It is obvious that the foregoing embodiments of the invention areexamples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or futurevariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obviousto one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the following claims.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferredembodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadestinterpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

I claim:
 1. An adjustable guided rake apparatus for grading a materialon a primary surface to a user specified standard relative to asecondary surface, the apparatus comprising: a grading rake headcomprising an elongate blade having a top edge and a bottom gradingedge; a guide track mounted on the top edge of the elongate blade; atleast one adjustable rake guide slidably mounted within the guide track;and wherein each adjustable rake guide comprises: a guide arm in slidingcommunication with the guide track; at least one fastener for securingthe guide arm within the guide track; and at least one height adjusterfor adjusting the height of the bottom grading edge relative to thesecondary surface, attached to the guide arm.
 2. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the height adjuster comprises: a height adjustercontrol for raising and lowering the height adjuster; and a diskconfigured to guide the height adjuster along a secondary surface. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide track forms anacute angle in relation to the grading rake head.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the bottom grading edge of the elongateblade is curved away from the acute angle formed by the guide track inrelation to the grading rake head.
 5. The apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a handle attached to the grading rake head.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom grading edgecomprises a straight edge.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the bottom grading edge comprises a plurality of blade teeth. 8.The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elongate bladespine running in parallel and along the middle of the grading rake head,and protruding slightly from the grading rake head at a 90 degree angle,such that it spans the same length of the entirety of the grading rakehead.
 9. The elongate blade spine according to claim 8, wherein theelongate blade spine is configured to be used as a point whereby theuser is able to grasp the grading rake head directly with their hand.10. A method of grading material of a primary surface to a userspecified standard using an adjustable guided rake apparatus accordingto claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the at leastone adjustable rake guide to a specified height in relation to thesecondary surface; adjusting the at least one adjustable rake guide to aspecified standard within the guide track; and passing the grading edgeof the rake head of the adjustable guided rake apparatus over theprimary surface until the specified standard is achieved.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising the steps of moving thegrading rake head in a desired direction; passing said grading rake headover said primary surface in relation to the secondary surface while thesecondary surface is in contact with the at least one adjustable rakeguide; adjusting said at least one adjustable rake guide secured to thegrading rake head to meet another secondary surface at a differentheight; and passing said grading rake head over said secondary surfacein relation to the another secondary surface while the another secondarysurface is in contact with the at least one adjustable rake guide,wherein the secondary surfaces have the same or different properties.